Ben stokes has been very impressive in his debut test series.The performance of 15 wickets @ 32.80 with the ball and 279 runs @ 34.87 is impressive for an all rounder in any conditions and against any opposition.The ton at Perth and six fer at Sydney were spectacular performances.To make a debut at an age of 22 and convert talent into performances with both bat and bowl at international level in a high pressure test series speaks a lot about his temperament as well.

Another impressive aspect of those 6 wickets was that he got the batters caught out in the catching positions which were precisely placed by Cook. The one at short cover and short mid on was the example of bowling to the plan and gettign the batsman out.Clarke is one of the best test batsman at the moment along with Amla, and it will definitely do Ben's confidence to have taken the prize wicket.In his careeer best haul of 6/99, 4 of the wickets were of in form batters (Rogers,Clarke,Smith and Haddin).He pitched the ball up, made the batsmen drive and got the wickets.He bowled with a plan and to the field that was set.

His ton came under pressure having marked the crease at 121/4. Also, the wicket had a big crack, was big enough to cause some issues and position itself in batsman's mind.A hundred on such a wicket is indeed an acheivement on day 5.That will help his confidence when he bats on day 5 on deterrirating wickets in future.That was the only ton that any English batsman managed on this 5 test tour.He followed that ton with a handy 50 run knock.

Ben ton.jpg

On a personal front it is very good for him that he got a ton and a six fer in his debut test series.Many cricketers are talented but more importantly the talent is useful if it comes out on field at international level.Also, the earliest it comes out the better it is for the player and the team.

Now that he has ensured a spot in next test playing 11,he will be expected of such performances time and again.Being an allrounder, he might improve one skill and get lesser at other or improve in both his skill sets.Over the time he practices with the team in nets and his performances in future tests, the thinktank will be able to identify the role he can play during his career at international level.

Don’t put the “kiss of death” on young Stokes too. Wasn’t there a thread titled “Matt Prior – A Worthy Batsman” once?

Stokes has potential as a middle order batsman who may also be a useful back-up bowler, though we need to guard against being carried away by something that may yet turn out to be a “flash in the pan” and not seeing the real quality of the bowling that brought him a few wickets in the Ashes.

Nice appraisal Adi. He didn't look like someone who got a bit lucky. He's an orthodox bat, and has a nice action. I hope he's given a good chance, and people are a little patient. As an all rounder, you have two chances to impress. But, sadly, you offer two opportunities to be critisised.

Ben has been brilliant since he came in. He’s so talented with the ball. He moves it both ways with conventional and reverse swing at 87mph-plus, pretty much everything you want.

He does need a little bit of guidance, but as we’ve seen, the guidance he’s had with his batting has obviously paid off hugely, so I’m sure his bowling is just going to get better and better as well.

He could get quicker, though he doesn’t really need to, and his bouncer means he is a guy people don’t want to face in the nets. He’s got that aggressive streak in him that just lends itself well to being a competitive sportsman, but he is also very calm under pressure.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Nice appraisal Adi. He didn't look like someone who got a bit lucky. He's an orthodox bat, and has a nice action. I hope he's given a good chance, and people are a little patient. As an all rounder, you have two chances to impress. But, sadly, you offer two opportunities to be critisised.

Yes, there is always a lot of pressure when the debutant puts on a good performance and people will be keen to see another ton and a 5 fer in next series itself.Being an all rounder it is unlikely that he will score another one so soon or pick another five fer so soon.That's the conversion rate expected from specialists.Fans might not have such patience but the management should show reasonable patience if he scores couple of 50's without converting them into ton.After all he is a all rounder in development phase considering his age and inexperience at this level.He was their best batsman on performance and one of the top 3 pacers (Broad,Jimmy and Ben). Also, from whatever little domestic cricket i follow, he appears to be a very good fielder to me as well.

Pressure due to expectation do build up once players start to impress on field.The most recent example is Joe.He had a good start and looked a promising cricketer in all formats.But then he is now seen struggling to hold his spot in side after having been dropped in test and ODI once.Similarly, Morgan,Ravi,Finn,Taylor,Johnny, Bresnan,Monty,Tremlett etc have also failed to be a certainty in playing 11.Some of those have been dropped twice or thrice.It will be interesting to see if Ben is better at handling pressure and being more consistent than the other dropped players.Talent wise he will be there around the squad like those mentioned above.But England management would hope some cricketer they have been giving opportunity actually sustains his place for more than few years.Lets wait and see how Ben does in this aspect.

Yes initial success can put a bit of pressure on a young player. And sometimes they can't live up to it.

But my gut feeling is Stokes has a special talent ...a bit raw , yes. So the fact that he did as well as he did , in a losing team , may be significant. Certainly he doesn't appear to be unduly bothered by nerves.

His main problem may be that he gets moved around in the team (like Root) to fill holes...hopefully this won't happen at least in the short term. What they do with him in the ODI format bothers me less. Think versatility is essential there anyway. But I 'd like to see him played as number six and fifth bowler for a solid block of Tests. Which should make sense as five bowlers will be generally needed now in the absence of Swann.

An exciting prospect . Though I am not calling him the New Botham/Flintoff

alfie wrote:Yes initial success can put a bit of pressure on a young player. And sometimes they can't live up to it.

But my gut feeling is Stokes has a special talent ...a bit raw , yes. So the fact that he did as well as he did , in a losing team , may be significant. Certainly he doesn't appear to be unduly bothered by nerves.

His main problem may be that he gets moved around in the team (like Root) to fill holes...hopefully this won't happen at least in the short term. What they do with him in the ODI format bothers me less. Think versatility is essential there anyway. But I 'd like to see him played as number six and fifth bowler for a solid block of Tests. Which should make sense as five bowlers will be generally needed now in the absence of Swann.

An exciting prospect . Though I am not calling him the New Botham/Flintoff

One would see no reason in moving Ben from his current batting position at 6 having been the best batsman.Also, a long list of tried candidates have not been able to stick to the spot.So the competition is lot less.Add to it Johnny has failed to score like a specialist batsman or even to the expectation from a wicket keeper batsman nowadays.That will also help Ben in being given continuity at 6.

Stokes has come in at a good time, for him personally, what with us still looking for a number six, and an opener, and a number three problem. On top of that, senior players are struggling, which means he should get plenty of time in the team, even if we see some indifferent form.

First ODI man of the match for Ben. Good 70 runs knock at the crucial No3 position and allowing the other batters to build a total around his knock.Followed it by picking up 4 wickets and being the most economical bowler as well.

clubcricketeradi wrote:First ODI man of the match for Ben. Good 70 runs knock at the crucial No3 position and allowing the other batters to build a total around his knock.Followed it by picking up 4 wickets and being the most economical bowler as well.

Yes, well done to Stokes, particularly on his batting. His bowling figures, especially considering that he took part in none of the power plays, rather flattered him though.

Buttler may feel a little aggrieved he didn't receive the Man of the Match award.